Mary Jeanne Vincent: Mid year career check in

A re you where you want to be career-wise? If you are happily employed, have you taken steps to stay that way? If you are uncomfortably in transition, is your job search progressing as well as expected?

Whatever your goals are, mid-year is a great time to evaluate your progress, recommit to previously identified goals or establish new ones. If you are on the right path then you simply have to do more of the same. However, if you are not where you hoped to be, now is the time to identify which strategies are working and what changes you need to make to speed up the process of getting what you want.

Imagine for a moment that it is December 31 and you are celebrating the end of a fabulous year. What are you most excited about achieving?

Now, what do you need to do to end this year on the high note you imagined?

Two questions I have found helpful for keeping me focused on the big picture and which I keep front and center on my calendar every day are: "Am I being productive or just active?" And, "If this is the only thing I accomplish today, will I be satisfied with my day?"

I hate the feeling that I am treading water and these questions serve as a reminder for me to take action on the things that matter most to me and my ultimate success.

Regardless of your employment status here are a few questions to help you evaluate the last six months and set the tone for the remainder of the year:

· Have I learned anything new this year?

· What skill do I want to learn or improve before December 31?

· Have I fine-tuned my in-person and online presence?

· In the last six months, have I reviewed my network and identified gaps I would like to fill?

· Have I sincerely thanked those individuals who have helped me grow, network and improve?

· Have I offered my professional assistance to someone in need?

· Have I taken time to personally recognize and congratulate a colleague for her accomplishments?

· Have I joined or participated in a professional association? (Professional Women's Network, Rotary, Lions, IEEE, SHRM or other industry organization)

· Have I attended and actively participated in an industry conference?

· Have I identified and taken action on those projects that are crucial to my success?

These questions revolve around three linchpins of career success: the ability to build a strong professional network, a commitment to lifelong learning, and the guts to take the necessary actions to achieve success.

If you make course corrections now, you will have cause for celebration as you plan your 2013 career success strategy. You will know with certainty that you accomplished the goals that matter most to your overall success and will easily be able to answer the question, "What can I do to make next year even better?"

Good luck! Now, I need to get busy; I see a few course corrections on my immediate horizon.

Mary Jeanne Vincent is a professional career coach She can be reached at 657-9151 or mjv@careercoachmjv.com, or send questions to "Career Talk," 1010 Cass St., Suite B5, Monterey 93940.